Crew review

Monday

May 31, 2010 at 12:01 AMMay 31, 2010 at 12:46 PM

The Galaxy allowed the Crew to dominate during a matchup of the final two unbeaten teams in Major League Soccer, but the Crew could not put any of its season-high 21 shots past the league's best defense. Unmarked rookie Michael Stephens scored for the Galaxy in the 10th minute, giving Los Angeles an early lead on which to sit. Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers said the Galaxy was so keen to protect its precious road advantage that it began wasting time in the first half.

Next game: at San Jose Earthquakes

Where: Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.

When: 10 p.m. Wednesday

TV: ONN Radio : WTVN-AM (610), WVKO-FM (103.1.)

Crew view

The Galaxy allowed the Crew to dominate during a matchup of the final two unbeaten teams in Major League Soccer, but the Crew could not put any of its season-high 21 shots past the league's best defense. Unmarked rookie Michael Stephens scored for the Galaxy in the 10th minute, giving Los Angeles an early lead on which to sit. Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers said the Galaxy was so keen to protect its precious road advantage that it began wasting time in the first half.

Do unto others

"We can win the game on a stat sheet but obviously you have to finish your chances," Crew coach Robert Warzycha said, echoing the sentiments of the opposing players and coaches who were beaten by the Crew in similar fashion this season. The Crew will have a chance to revert back to its homely-but-effective style during two road games this week.

0-fer

Forward Steven Lenhart has started all nine of the Crew's games, has scored one goal and is on pace to fall short of the four goals scored by former striker Alejandro Moreno, who was left unprotected and taken by Philadelphia in the expansion draft. Lenhart's effort, as usual, was admirable. He had multiple scoring chances but his finishing was an equal mix of poor decisions and poor execution. Colombian forward Sergio Herrera, brought aboard to strengthen the striker corps, did not leave the bench on which he has spent all but one minute this season.

Milestone

The Galaxy victory was the 100th in the MLS career of Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena. The former coach of D.C. United, the New York Red Bulls and the U.S. national team became the fourth coach to reach 100 wins. Former Crew and current Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid has the most (128).

Stymied

The Crew took 15 corner kicks. The Galaxy took none. Still, the Crew could not convert the service of Guillermo Barros Schelotto into a goal. Towering center backs Chad Marshall and Andy Iro were marked well by Galaxy defenders, including the 6-feet-5 Omar Gonzalez. Marshall, cut from the U.S. World Cup team on Wednesday, was held without a shot. He refused to comment after the game.

Top three

• F Guillermo Barros Schelotto: The ball-moving Argentine was exquisite. His best game of the season.

• MF Brian Carroll: The Crew's iron man played with a tender ankle and was much improved in the middle.

• F Jason Garey: Another strong performance off the bench.

Bottom three

• F Steven Lenhart: Hesitation and questionable decisions in front of the net are not getting the job done.

• D Jed Zayner: Struggled in place of injured Frankie Hejduk. A big drop-off after solid game in Kansas City.

• D Andy Iro: Forced into left back spot when the Crew switched to three defenders and committed the turnover that led to the clinching goal by Galaxy rookie Tristan Bowen.

Digital

92: Touches by Schelotto.

47: Touches by L.A. right back A.J. DeLaGarza, who had more of the ball than any other Galaxy player.

9: Crew players who took more touches than DeLaGarza.

0: Shots by the Galaxy from the 21st to 86th minutes.

15: Shots taken by the Crew during the same span.

Quotable

"Does this mean we have to refer to Robert as 'The Special One?'" - A reporter, after mulling the recent comparisons between the Crew and European champion Inter Milan, wondering if the Crew's coach needed to be nicknamed the self-bestowed title of former Inter coach Jose Mourinho.

- Shawn Mitchell

smitchell@dispatch.com

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